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Design of bracing systems of steel halls with Consteel

Bracing is a system of structural members that, through their own stiffness, provides lateral and/or torsional stabilisation to other structural members.

Since commonly used I/H sections have relatively low stiffness against bending about their minor axis and against torsion about their longitudinal axis, bracing plays a critical role in the stability of steel structures.

Bracing can provide point stabilisation through the connection of a stabilising element at discrete points along a structural member. It can also provide continuous or line-type stabilisation, for example through connected trapezoidal sheeting.

During the training, two fundamentally different design problems will be discussed:
1. Design of structural members in the presence of an actual bracing system
2. Design of the bracing system itself

These two bracing related design problems are surprisingly different.

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Details

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

Design of structural members in the presence of an actual bracing system

For the first problem, the actual stiffness of the bracing system and the resulting structural spans between braced points are considered.

For a traditional, effective-length-based approach, the buckling length is generally taken as the distance between the braced points. For an imperfection-based design approach, the typical sinusoidal imperfection shape is assumed between the braced points.

In both cases, however, the assumed bracing points and the corresponding distance quantities must be compatible with the actual stiffness of the bracing system. A bracing point of any kind cannot simply be assumed to act as a fully rigid restraint.

In contrast to AISC 360, Eurocode 3 does not provide general rules for assessing the minimum stiffness required for a bracing system to provide adequate stabilisation. Engineers may therefore make the critical mistake of accepting any apparently suitable element as a brace and simply assuming that the unbraced length is the distance between the braces.

This can lead to unsafe results. If the bracing is not sufficiently stiff, the effective unbraced length may be significantly greater than the distance between the bracing points: L₀ = Kb x Lb, where Kb may be greater than 1.0. Current design specifications generally do not provide a direct method for determining the appropriate value of Kb.
Design of the bracing system itself

The second problem starts from the stabilised structure, but investigates the forces that the bracing system itself must resist. These forces are strongly dependent on the actual stiffness of the bracing system.

The critical assumption is that the structure to be braced may develop an unfavourable deformed shape. This shape can be assumed based on engineering judgement, but a more standardised and workflow-oriented approach is to consider the shape corresponding to the case in which the bracing system has not been installed.

This shape can be obtained as an elastic eigenmode and introduced into a geometrically nonlinear analysis as an imperfection. After appropriate scaling of the imperfection, the resulting forces in the bracing system can be determined.

This approach provides a rational basis for designing the bracing for the forces generated by the imperfect and deformed structure, rather than simply assigning arbitrary design forces to the braces, as typically recommended by specifications such as Eurocode 3 or AISC 360.
The training will present several practical examples covering both aspects of bracing design. All examples will be developed and solved using Consteel, allowing the mechanical behavior of the structure and the bracing system to be investigated directly.
The design approach is primarily based on mechanical concepts and is therefore largely code-independent. Where a specific design standard is required, the main reference is Eurocode 3, with the necessary comments and adaptations for designs based on AISC 360 also provided.

details

Apply by: 7 October, 2026


important information

Next training date: 14 October, 2026
Training duration: 4 hours (10:00-15:00 CET)
Language: English
Location: Online, Microsoft Teams
Fee: from 108 € – see the pricing
Terms of Participation


WHO IS THIS TRAINING FOR?

The training is primarily intended for Consteel users, but the underlying structural mechanics and stability concepts are equally relevant to engineers working with other structural analysis software.

It is recommended that participants have a basic understanding of:
– Structural mechanics and first- and second-order analysis
– Geometrically nonlinear analysis
– Structural imperfections
– Linear buckling analysis
– Eigenvalues, eigenvectors and buckling modes


During the training

  • No Consteel license is needed for the training.
  • The training will be demonstrated in Consteel, but no prior experience or installation is required to follow along.
  • However if you would like to try the advanced analysis and design methods and tools discussed in the training you can do it with a 30-day Trial version for free.

Get to Know Your Trainer

Bálint Vaszilievits-Sömjén phd

Senior Research Engineer

Bálint is a structural engineer currently serving as Head of the R&D Group at Consteel. He leads the development of new software features, coordinates research activities, and manages international collaboration with Consteel partners. With over nine years of experience in structural analysis and software development, Bálint brings deep expertise in the finite element method, Eurocode 3, and AISC 360 standards. 

Previously, he worked as Engineering Manager for Butler Europe and Astron Building Systems, leading major European pre-engineered metal building producers, which has given him solid knowledge of this market segment. 
He has participated in several international steel-oriented conferences and is a member of the ECCS TC8 Committee. 

REGISTration

By joining, you gain access to a valuable training program, or choose a full-year training pass that fits the way you learn.

EARLY BIRD

Available until

9 September, 2026 15:00 (CET)

Full price

144 €

VAT EXCLUDED / PERSON*

FOR CONSTEEL USERS**

Pro

membership

126 144 €

VAT EXCLUDED / PERSON*

Premium

membership

108 144 €

VAT EXCLUDED / PERSON*

Register

* VAT is calculated based on the legislation in force
** Only for users with an active monthly or yearly subscription plan

NORMAL

Available until

7 October, 2026 15:00 (CET)

Full price

180 €

VAT EXCLUDED / PERSON*

FOR CONSTEEL USERS**

Pro

membership

144 180 €

VAT EXCLUDED / PERSON*

Premium

membership

126 180 €

VAT EXCLUDED / PERSON*

* VAT is calculated based on the legislation in force
** Only for users with an active monthly or yearly subscription plan

Your training pass is here

Choose a training pass that fits how you learn, whether you need a few targeted sessions or unlimited access for a full year.

MINI PASS

Access to 3 trainings of your choice.
Valid for all trainings held in 2026.

Full price

360 540 €

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FOR CONSTEEL USERS**

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membership

288 432 €

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Premium

membership

252 378 €

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Get Mini Pass

* VAT is calculated based on the legislation in force
** Only for users with an active monthly or yearly subscription plan

UNLIMITED PASS

Unlimited access to all trainings.
Valid for all trainings held in 2026.

Full price

990 1880 €

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792 1504 €

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693 1316 €

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FAQ

– The role of bracing in providing lateral and torsional stability to steel structures
– Point and continuous bracing systems and their structural behavior
– Design of structural members with an actual bracing system
– Bracing stiffness and its effect on the effective unbraced length
– Limitations of assuming bracing points as fully rigid restraints
– The relationship between bracing stiffness and the effective length factor Kb
– Design of the bracing system itself
– Forces generated by the imperfect and deformed structure
– Using eigenmodes as imperfections in geometrically nonlinear analysis
– Determining realistic design forces in bracing systems
– Practical design examples developed and solved in Consteel
– A mechanics-based, largely code-independent design approach
– Main reference: Eurocode 3, with relevant considerations for AISC 360

The training is primarily intended for Consteel users, but the underlying structural mechanics and stability concepts are equally relevant to engineers working with other structural analysis software. It is recommended that participants have a basic understanding of:
– Structural mechanics and first- and second-order analysis
– Geometrically nonlinear analysis
– Structural imperfections
– Linear buckling analysis
– Eigenvalues, eigenvectors and buckling modes

You will need a device with Microsoft Teams to attend the training. Participants may have the opportunity to perform some smaller calculations during the sessions. For these calculations, a computer with Windows 11 and Consteel 19 installed is required. A trial license for Consteel can be requested prior to the training. 

– Date: 14 October, 2026 
– Duration: 4 hours (10:00-15:00 CET)
– Location: Online via Microsoft Teams 
– Language: English 

To join the training, you’ll need to: 

– Register before the application deadline (7 October, 2026) and complete payment.
– Have a stable internet connection and Microsoft Teams for online access.  

For further details, please read our Terms of Conditions. 

– No Consteel license is needed for the training.
– The training will be demonstrated in Consteel, but no prior experience or installation is required to follow along.
– However, if you would like to try the advanced analysis and design methods and tools discussed in the training, you can do it with a 30-day Trial version for free.

– The video of the training will be available for 1 month from the date of the training. 
– Participants will have access to example models from the training. 
– Opportunity to ask questions about the training via the Help Center for 30 days after the training.

Our training sessions are held live, but all registered and paid participants will receive the full recordings and training materials afterwards. You will also have the opportunity to send your questions to our engineering team via the Help Center, who will be happy to assist you.

Yes, we offer several discounts:

– Do you have Pro Membership? In this case you will receive a 20% discount on the price of the training. 
– For our Premium Membership users, we offer 40% discount on trainings. 

The discounted price tied to the membership is valid for as many participants as the company has memberships. For example, if the company has one Premium membership, one participant can register at the discounted price, while additional participants need to pay the full price.

Companies with the valid EU VAT number, no VAT is charged.
– For companies in the European Union (without the valid EU VAT number), 27% VAT is charged.
– For individuals within the European Union, VAT is charged at the applicable rate of the customer’s country of residence.
– For taxable persons established in a third country (i.e., outside the European Union), no VAT is charged.
– For private individuals residing in a third country (i.e., outside the European Union), no VAT is charged.

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